I Love You
Harry had fallen asleep curled up against Draco’s chest in the middle of their lesson with Regulus. He hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night before so he had been dozing off all morning. Regulus knowing that whenever Harry had a nightmare, Draco would stay up with him until he was able to sleep again, decided on letting the couple sleep away the afternoon. He smiled and gave Draco a small nod, which Draco followed with a small smile before he shut his eyes to join Harry. Regulus acciod a blanket and used it to cover the two younger men.
Turning to get up, Regulus saw Remus leaning against the wall, tea in hand smiling at the interaction. “You do a good job with those two,” he said. Regulus could feel his cheeks flush slightly from the compliment. “They’re both easy to work with, I simply supply them the knowledge.” The two began walking into the kitchen so that Regulus could get himself a cup of tea.
“You’re getting along well then,” Remus asked. Regulus turned to give him a confused look. “With Harry,” Remus specified. “Oh, well I would certainly like to hope so. He’s doing well in his studies,” Regulus responded. “That’s good to hear. He always did excel in Defense Against the Dark Arts and he has a knack for complicated spells work. He really is his parents’ child,” Remus said.
For a moment the two men stood in silence, both sipping on their teas. Then as if on cue James and Lily walked into the kitchen. “Tea,” Regulus offered. They both accepted cups and began to drink with the pair. “Lessons ended early then,” Lily asked. Regulus nodded and said,” they both fell asleep. Figured they needed it, neither of them quite got enough last night so I’ve left them in the sitting room.” “Does that mean there’s a picture opportunity,” James asked excitedly. The rest of them laughed as James ran to grab his camera and take a few pictures of the couple asleep on the couch.
Coming back triumphantly, James had three pictures in hand. “One for the kitchen, one for the photo album, and one for their bedroom,” he said with a grin on his face. “I’m not sure if they’ll thank you or scold you,” Lily told her husband.
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A few days later Sirius came bounding into Harry and Draco’s room, leaping up and running all over their sleeping forms as a dog. Harry quickly began laughing because of how easily ticklish he was. “Padfoot, Padfoot stop it,” he laughed out. Draco only covered his head with his pillow and tried to tune out the childish men.
Sirius eventually calmed down and switched back to his human form. “Good morning, Prongslet! Good morning mini Malfoy,” he sang in a sing-song voice. “So I figured we show Prongs how much fun you have. You’ve got your invisibility cloak, right,” Sirius said. “Yeah, it’s in the closet.” Sirius quickly jumped up to retrieve it, “I figured we play a game that we used to play in Hogwarts. How do you like the sound of that?” “Brilliant,” Harry replied with a grin on his face, “but you’ve got to let us get dressed and eat breakfast first.” To that Draco grumbled in agreement. “Then you two best hurry up! I’ll go tell everyone that we’re playing,” Sirius quickly jumped off the bed, switched back into Padfoot, and ran through the halls of the cottage.
Harry reached over to the nightstand to grab his glasses. Once they were on he turned to face Draco. “Good morning, ferret,” he said cheerfully. Draco only grumbled, “morning scarface.” Harry pouted and said, “oh come on, cheer up Draco!” Draco only sighed in response. “I’ll let you pick out my outfit for today,” Harry offered. At that Draco grinned and began to rise out of bed. “Well, what are you waiting for?!” Draco got out of bed and went straight for the closet.
Harry got up and out of bed to stand behind Draco. He wrapped his arms around the slightly taller man’s waist and slayed his head on his shoulder. Draco began to hum a bit, swaying him and Harry along to the song. Finally finding something suitable for Harry to wear, he moved forward to move it out of the closet.
In his hands, Draco held an emerald green knit sweater and a pair of grey trousers along with matching green socks. He turned in his boyfriends’ arms to present him with his clothes for the day. “To bring out your eyes,” Draco said giving Harry a small peck on the lips.
Harry who was about to complain about the Slytherin green melted under Draco’s touch. Draco guided them back to the bed so that he could set down the sweater. Taking out his wand, Draco charmed the sleeve of the sweater. On the end of the sleeve was a small silver heart. “Touch it,” Draco instructed Harry. At his request, Harry leaned forward to run his finger across the heart. The moment his fingers grazed the fabric, the silver changed from a heart to a “D”. Within seconds it had changed back.
Harry tilted his head up to look Draco in the eye,” it’s so perfect. I love it!” Draco blushed slightly at the compliment, “only your touch can activate it. It’s simple to spell work though.” Harry let out a soft laugh, “you’re perfect. I love you.” Draco’s blush deepened further, “I love you too, Harry.”
It wasn’t a word either of them said very often. Harry never heard it growing up with the Dursleys and he couldn’t remember his parents saying it to him. Draco had never heard it from his father and could most likely count on his hand the number of times he’s heard it from his mother. Neither of them had the experience hearing it, making it especially hard to understand to love themselves. So on the rare occasion that they did say “I love you” to each other, it meant all the world to them. Making each moment more special than the last.
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After getting dressed the young couple walked out of their room with their pinkies hooked. Walking into the kitchen, they found all the other adults. James, Remus, and Sirius were all talking with Regulus and Lily to their left carrying a small conversation amongst themselves. Once everyone realized they were there a collection of “good mornings” were shared. That is until a large gasp was heard. “Is that a Slytherin green jumper, Harry James Potter,” Sirius asked incredulously. “Quite possibly,” he replied as he grabbed some tea and toast for himself and Draco. “I am betrayed,” Sirius gasped putting his hands to his heart, “whatever happened to our Griffindor golden boy?” “Draco happened,” Regulus mumbled over his cup. That caused everyone to laugh and Draco’s cheeks redden.
“The color looks lovely on you, dear,” his mother complimented. “Brings out your eyes,” James said with a slight wink. They all fell into a comfortable silence and finished their breakfast. That is until the silence was interrupted by Sirius’ excited bouncing. Remus sighed and turned to Sirius, “you’re bouncing, darling.” As if he had only been waiting for someone to acknowledge him, Sirius lepton up from his seat, transformed into a dog, and ran out of the kitchen. Coming back within seconds, Sirius now had the invisibility cloak. As soon as he was human and could speak again Sirius grinned and asked, “who’s ready?!” James began to grin at his best friend, seemingly sharing the same brainwave. Everyone else however was left on a different brainwave and did not understand what Sirius was referring to. “What exactly should we be ready for,” Regulus was brave enough to ask. “Well we’re going to play hide and seek of course,” James exclaimed. “Marauders style,” Sirius added. Their answer had not helped answer everyone else’s question as to what they were doing other than Remus who was already holding his head in his hands. James started, “one person takes the invisibility cloak and hides anywhere; let’s say on this property. They hide under the cloak and everyone else has to find them.” Sirius continued before anyone could ask any questions,” The kicker is, whoever is hiding gets to give out what we call ‘hints of magic’. Not quite giving out hints, but the person hiding has to ability to use their magic, nothing illegal of course to help give off their location. They can charm the air, transfigure items around them, and spell small noises to go off. The world is their oyster.” “And the first to find them wins the round,” James finished excitedly. “That’s all they win,” Draco questioned,” seems like a lot of effort simply for bragging rights.” “Well, we’ve had different prizes in the past. Chocolate, records, dung bombs, map privileges for the week, booze,” Sirius listed off. “Maybe not booze,” Regulus scolded. “No matter,” Sirius waved him off, “are you lot ready to play?” Everyone nodded not quite sure what they’d gotten themselves into.
“So who should hide first,” James asked. “Rock Paper Scissor,” Sirius offered. “Oh for Merlin’s sake, you two are wizards,” Lily said. She then took out her wand and pointed it in her cup. Reciting several incantations she spelled everyone’s names into her cup. After a few seconds wait, one name came to the top, Remus. “Looks like good ol’ Moony is our first contestant today,” Sirius said. He then jumped up out of his seat, pecked Remus on the lips, and dropped the Invisibility cloak onto his lap.
Sighing Remus got up, threw the invisibility cloak over his shoulders, and began to move out of the kitchen. “Five minutes on the clock,” James said excitedly.
The second the five minutes were up, James and Sirius were up and running all throughout the house. The rest of the group took their time rising to their feet. “Well I guess we can at least try to enjoy ourselves,” Draco said breaking the awkward silence that had been left in the Marauders' absence. Harry hooked Draco’s pinky and began to drag him outside in search of his hidden godfather. Leaving Regulus and Lily, who had also decided to team up, they began searching the grounds. In the gardens, behind the trees, ruffled in the bushes the couple looked but to no avail. “I suppose we should look inside,” Draco said as they had come up unsuccessful. He began walking until he felt some resistance on his littlest finger. Having forgotten that they were holding hands Draco’s eyes immediately shot down to their conjoined pinkies and right back up into Harry’s eyes. His eyes forever remain to be Draco’s favorite part of Harry. The first thing he had noticed all those years ago in Madam Malkin’s shop in Diagon Alley. Not the scar he was made famous for, but the striking green of his eyes, which always seemed to change due to certain lights. They would even go as far as to move in accordance with Harry’s mood. Very much as they did now when they caught Draco’s eyes they seemed to brighten tenfold.
Harry gave Draco a shy smile to which he immediately responded. “This actually is the best summer I’ve ever had, no matter how it unfolds,” Harry said quietly. Draco’s smile only grew as he responded,” I’d have to agree with you on that one.” “I really do love you, you know,” Harry said. “Oh I know, but I love you too of course,” Draco said still smiling, “that’s the second time today. Are you feeling alright?” Harry’s other hand reached up to Draco’s cheek as he spoke,” I’m alright, just something about you I suppose, making me love you.” “Well, I’d sure hope so,” Draco hummed. Draco slowly leaned in closing his eyes. Harry reciprocated Draco’s actions and began to lean up to meet him in the middle. The second their connected it felt like sparks were flying. The two young men could feel their magic sparking underneath their skin longing to come in contact with one another. Their kiss so tender, Harry could practically feel the love Draco was pouring into it. Pulling away for air they both stayed close. “Are you ready to keep playing then,” Harry asked. Draco nodded and led the two inside.
Upon concluding Remus hadn’t been hiding in any of the bedrooms or the living room they began to quickly check the kitchen area. Not having very much hope for that area they made their way quickly through the kitchen. The broom cupboard being the last place to look on that floor the boys quickly made their way over. Moments before they got to the door they saw one small purple spark fly out of the keyhole. Harry began to grin and he stretched his arm out to open the door. With Draco holding the door open, Harry reached forward and pulled the invisibility cloak off of Remus. “That was good timing, Harry,” Remus said with a smile on his face,” and Draco. The question is do James and Sirius know that you’ve beaten them at their own game?” Harry began to laugh as he shook his head. “I’ll allow you the honors then,” Remus said. At that Harry shouted,” we’ve done it we’ve found Remus!” Bounding down the stairs James and Sirius wore incredulous looks on their faces. “I can’t believe you’ve beat us at our own game,” Sirius said after a moment's silence. “Unbelievable,” James mumbled. “You best believe it,” Remus said, then proceeded to hand the two men large bars of chocolate.